Portable cabinet



' Mar. 3. 1925; v 1,528,629

- J. H. QUINAN ET AL PORTABLE CABINET Filed Feb. 28, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i Jolvwlmwjz Quuzarv E J 15 J. Vli arr'cs,

n BY

i g ATTO EY.

Mn. 3. 1925. v 1,528,629

' J. H. QUINAN ET AL v PORTABLE CABINET Filed Feb. 28. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jo/msZo/wEQum INVENTORS J. KEQ/ITLS,

y M I ATTORNEY. H

Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

U'NITED (STATES.

; 1,528,629 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHNSTO'NE H. QUINAN, OF MIAMI, AND JEPTHA V. HARRIS, OF KEY WEST, FLORIDA.

PORTABLE CABINET.

\ Application filed February 28, 1924. Serial No. 695,745.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JorINs'roNn H QUINAN and JEP'LHA VINING HARRIS, citizens of the United States, residing at Miami, in the county of Dade and State of Florida, and Key Vest, in the county of Monroe and State of Florida, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a port-able cabinet designed primarily for use as a bath house or dressing tent for bathers, but it is to be understood that a portable cabinet in accordance with this invention can be employed as a shade or sleeping tent, wind shield or shooting blind and for any other purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a light and portable tent-like structure which w ren set up will constitute a bath house or dressing tent and when knocked down can be folded compactly and easily carried from place to place, or which furthermore can be set up in a-inanner to provide ashade or sleeping tent, .wind shield, and shooting blind or screen.

Furtherobjects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, aportable cabinet of tent-like form, and which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, conveniently set up and knocked down when occasion requires, thoroughly efficient in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel c011- struction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is'shown an embodiment of the invention, but itis to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the'cla-ims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the adaptation of a portable cabinet, in. accord ance with this invention, with the elements thereof arranged to provide a shade tent-.r

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the elements of the cabinet arranged to provide a sleeping tent,

Figure 3 is an elevation with the elements of the cabinet arranged to provide a bath house or dressing tent.

Figure st. is a perspective view with the elements of the cabinet arranged to provide a wind shield.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cabinet with the elements thereof arranged to provide a bath house or dressing tent.

Figure 6 is an inverted plan of the top of the bath house, or dressing tent.

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the front wall of the bath house or dressing tent.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary View in perspective, of afront post and top bars.

Figure 9 is a like view of the rear post and top bars.

Figure 10 is a perspective view'of the elements of the cabinet when folded.

Figure 11 is a fragmentaryview in section of a modification.

A portable cabinet in accordance with this invention comprises an adjustable body portion, a top and a curtain.

The body portion includes a pair of front poles or standards 1, 2, and a pair of rear poles or standards 3, a. Each of the standards is cylindrical, of substantial diameter and height and has a tapered lower terminal portion 5, to facilitate the driving of a pole or standard into the ground for the purpose of securing it in an upright position. The poles or standards 1, 2, preferably are of greater height than the poles or standards 3, 4, and by way of example the poles or standards 1, 2 are seven feet in length and the poles or standards 3, 4, are six and onehalf feet in length, but it is to be understood that the standards can be of any desired length. v

Associated with the front and rear standards are four top bars, one ofwhich arranged at the front of the cabinet and is termed a front bar and indicated at 6. Two of the bars are arranged at the sides of the cabinet and are termed side bars and are indicated at 7, S, and the other of the bars is arranged at the rear of the cabinet and termed the rear bar and 'in dicated at 9. The bar 6 is of less length than either of the bars 7, 8, but of greater length than the bar 9. The bars 7 and 8 are of greater length than either of the bars 6 or 9.-

11 disposed at right angles with respect to each. other and each of the poles or standards 3, 4, at its upper end is provided with a pair of sockets 12, 13, disposed at right angles with respect to each other.

Each end of the bars 6, 7, 8 and 9 is provided with an adjustable coupling mem her which projects therefrom and is indicated at 14. Each of the coupling members preferably consists of a metallic pin peripherally threaded, and which are screwed a substantial distance in the bar, as well as projecting a substantial distance therefrom. Preferably, the pin is screwed tothe depth of an inch in a bar and projects therefrom for a distance of about three-eighths of. an inch, but it is to be understood that the coupling members can be secured in the bars as well as project therefrom for any desired distance. Each coupling member has its outer end provided with a groove15, to ad- 1Lust the position thereof with respect to a WVhen the bars 6 to 9 are set up relative to the poles or standards 1 to 4, the coupling members of the bar 6 are extended into the sockets 11 of the poles or standards 1, 2. The coupling members at the forward ends of the bars 7 and 8 are extended into the sockets 10 of the poles or standards .1, 2, and atthe rear ends of the bars 7 and 8 are extended into the sockets 12 of the poles or standards 3, 4. The coupling members of the bar 9 are extended into the sockets '13 of the poles or standards 3 and 4.3 The bars 6, 7 8 and 9 act to bracethe poles or standards 1, 2, 3 and 4 and further provide means for stretching the side and back walls and top of the cabinet as .well as maintaining the cabinet in an extended position when set up. The front bar 6 provides means for suspending a curtain 16, employed for closing the front of the cabinet.

The side and back walls of the cabinet are formed from a single body of suitable. material, preferably canvas, and between the transverse center and one end of said body.

the latter has secured to its-inner face, by rows of stitching 17, a strip of flexible material, which, in connection with the body of material provides a pocket or-loop 18. Secured to the body of material by rows of stitching 20, at a point between its transversecenter and-the other end thereofis a strip of flexible material which provides a pocket 19. That part of the body of material which is arranged between the pockets 18'and 19 constitutes the back wall 21 of the cabinet. In lieu of setting up the pockets or loops 18 and 19, in themanner as stated, the material is lapped as at 18 and secured together as at 19 to provide a pocket 20, see Figure 11. The body gradually increases in width from its back wall 21 towards each end."

The body of material which forms the side and back walls of the cabinet has each end thereof overlapped and secured by a row of stitching 22 to provide a pocket. The pocket at one end of the body of mate rial, is indicated at 22 and that at the other end at 23. That portion of the body of material which is arranged between the pockets 18 and 22 constitutes one of the side walls of the cabinet, and said wall is indicated at 24.

That portion of the material between the pocket 19 and the pocket 23, constitutes the other side wall of the cabinet and which is indicated at 25.

Each of the pockets at its upper end is provided with apertures 26, for the purpose of registering with the sockets at the upper ends of the posts or standards.

The standard 1 extends down through the pocket 22. The standard 3 extends down through the pocket 18. The standard 4 extends down through the pocket 19, and the standard 2 extendsdown through the pocket 23. The diameter of the poles or standards with respect to the size of the pockets is such as to provide a tight fit therebetween. The width of the back wall 21 is materially less than either of the side walls 24, 25.

The curtain 16, atits top, is provided with a pocket or loop 27 through-which extends the front bar 6. The curtain 16 has its inner face provided with a pair of oppositely disposed triangular flaps 28, 29 and each of said flaps has its outer edge secured by a row of'stitching 30 to thecurtain16. Eyelets or grommets 30 are secured to the flaps 28 and 29 and to the curtain 16 at each lower corner of the latter. Fastener elements 31 are carried by the flaps 28 and 29 for detachably connecting the inner corners of the flaps to the curtain 16. Flexible tie members 32 are arranged on the inner face of the curtain 16 and each of said tie members 32 has its'upper end secured to the curtain 16. The curtain 16 forms the front wall of the cabinet and is so set up with respect to the bar 6, that it can be shifted thereon, in a manner as shown in Figure The flaps 28, 29, provide extension pieces for the front wall ofthe cabinet when the latter is used as a sleeping tent. The curtain 16 is of greater height than the height of'the cabinet to provide for the positioning of the curtain in the manner asshown in Figure 2 when the cabinet is setup as a sleeping tent.

The top, which is indicated at 34, and best shown in Figure 6, is formed from a body of flexible material, preferably canvas, and is reinforced at each side, as at 35, 36. The top 34 is tapering in contour and is provided at a point inwardly of its front 'edge with a pair of eyelets or grommets 37, and ata point forwardly with respect to its rear edge with a pair of eyelets or grommets 38. Se-

cured to the inner face of the top' 34, at each" side thereof, by rows of stitching 39, is a flexible strip which provides a loop or pocket 40, and through said loops or pockets extend the side bars 7 and 8. Flexible tie members 41 are secured to the inner face of the top 34. The top 34 is of greater width and of greater length than the body portion of the cabinet so that when the top 34' is set up relative to said body portion, the top will overhang the upper ends of the front, sides and back of the body portion as indicated at 42, 43 and 44 respectively and act to close the upper end of said body portion.

Then the poles or standards are set up in a vertical position, the upper ends there of extend through the eyelets 37 and 38, and mounted on each of the poles or standards 1, 2, below the top 34, is an eye 45 formed at the upper end of a guy rope 46 having its lower end anchored as at 47. Mounted upon each of the poles or standards 4, below the top 34 is an eye 48 formed at each end of a flexible member 49, having extending therefrom a guy rope 50,

which is anchored at its lower end, as at 51.

The rear bar 9 is connected to the standard 4, by a flexible member 52 so that when the bar 9 is not used it can be arranged in a pocket 53, as shown in Figure 4, which is formed on the back 21.

When the cabinet is set up in the form of a sleeping tent as shown in Figure 2, securing elements 54 are attached to the eyelets 30" and anchored as at The back or rear wall 21 is provided with receptacles or pockets 56 for storing any suitable articles, and the inner face of the side walls 24, 25, as well as theinner face of the rear or back wall 21 is provided with garment hangers or supports 57. A tie member 58 is attached to the hangers 57 on the inner face of the side walls 24, 25. The pockets or receptacles 56 can be employed for holding toilet articles or jewelry, and each of the pockets or receptacles prefcrably is reinforced at the top thereof. garment hanger or supports 57 consist of horizontally and vertically disposed flexible straps. Each horizontally disposed strap is secured at its ends, as at 59, and is supported by a vertical strap and with the latter secured at one end as at 60 to the wall, and at its other end as at 61 to the horizontally disposed strap centrally thereof.

The tie members 32, carried by the curtain 16, are employed for connection with the tie members 58 and also the tie members 62 carried by the side walls.

The guy rope 46, as well as the guy ropes 50 are not employed when the cabinet is set up as a bath house or dressing tent except when the wind is high. The guy ropes are further used when the curtain is hoisted or stretched out in front of the cabinet in the manner as shown in Figure 1. The cabinet The can be used with or without the top, but the standards and bars are always employed. Vith the curtain or front wall in place the device will be set up as adressing room for bathers on a beach, or can be used as a shooting blind. If employed for a shooting blind the standards should be driven to such an extent that the lower edge of the canvas will be just above the ground. When the curtain is raised and stretched, the device will serve as a shade tent. hen the standards are driven in the ground enough to position the bottom of the walls of the cabinet, on a level with the ground and the upper halfof the curtain fastened and the lower end thereof stretched forwardly and further with the triangular flaps in place, the device can then be used as a sleeping tent. With the top removed and the front standards spaced wide apart, and further with the guy ropes in place, the device can then be employed for a screen for wind and sun.

The manner of setting up the cabinet is as follows Select the place on which the cabinet is to be set up, having due regard for the character of ground, direction of the wind and force. If there be no wind or only a moderate breeze, the cabinet can be set up facing any direction, but should the wind be fresh the rear of the cabinet being narrow, should face the wind and be held by use of guy ropes. Lay the top 34 flat on the ground and stretch the four corners thereof taut, then make holes in the ground with tent pegs by driving them through the grommet in each corner of the top, after which the latter is removed from the position placed in. One of the rear standards is then 'driven in one of the rear holes, the material from which the rear and side wall are set up is stretched the full width at the bottom thereof and the other rear standard is then set up in a similar manner, after which the bar 9 is connected to the two rear standards. If the. wind is fresh then the guy rope 50 is positioned and said guy rope is fitted with a bridle. If the top of the cabinet has not been used as a pattern for positioning the holes in the manner stated, then the front bar 6 is employed to set up a proper distance between the front standards. After the rear standards havebeen mounted in posit-ion as stated. the side walls of the cabinet are stretched full length at the bottom thereof and then each front standard is driven in position and the side bars 7 and 8 connected with the front and rear standards. If the top 34 is to be employed the side bars 7 and 8 are mounted in the pockets 40 and after which they are connected to the front and rear standards. but prior to the connecting of the side bars to the front and rear standards, these latter The cabinet is nowready for use and the front wall or curtain 16 can be permanently jr'ast'e11c*d on one side, after which it can be it provides for absolute security.

drawn across the front of the cabinet and fastened on the opposite side. The standards'fit tightly and will not become'loose.

and when the top is in the position as stated, Security can also be obtained without the top by placing the ring 45 of the guy rope which is connected to the farthest front standard, then extend the guy rope around the other front standard and connect the ropeto a tent peg, and this prevents the two front standards from spreading. I

hen dismantling the cabinet, the guy ropes are disconnected, if used, the top rem'oved, side bars disconnectech'after which 30 the rear bar is removed and then the curtain is disconnected and the standards pulled up. After the standards have been pulled up, the two rear standards are positioned alongside each other and the curtain and top rolled up separately and placed alongside the two rear poles. The flexible body portion is then rolled up in a compact bundle and which incloses thecurtain and top and after the 1 several elements are rolledup in the manner 40 as stated, the bundle is lashed with guy ropes.

It is thought that thema'ny advantages of a portable cabinet which provides a batli house or dressing tent, a. sun and wind shield, a beach awning, a shootingblind and a sleeping tent, can be readily understood from the foregoing descript-iontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings,' particularly in view of the fact that the device has originality of shape, simplicity and cheapness of construction, combining minimum size and weight with maximum room and convenience, and furthermore in its orig- Y inality of construction in having standards and bars connected to the canvas to prevent warping The height of the canvas is adqustable, providing a simple'and convenient way for ventilating the cabinet by leav- 7 ing space at the top and bottomth'ereof and furthermore whereby the top and body'of the cabinet are'separate, and although the preferred embodiment of the inventionis as illustrated and described, yetchanges in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

\Vhat we claim is 1. A portable cabinet comprising a flexible member of substantial length and width provided at each end with a transversely extended pocket and further provided at a point between its transverse center and each end with a transversely extending pocket, a standard extending through each of said pockets and projecting above and below'the same, brace bars interposed between the standards at the top thereof and provided with coupling members detachably engaging in said standards, a top member having said standards extending therethrough and provided with means for receiving certain of said brace bars, a front member sliiftably mounted on and suspended from the brace bar between the standards carried by said end pockets and provided on its inner face with triangular shaped flaps constituting extensions, said flaps secured at their outer side edges to said front member and having the inner sides detachably connected to said member, and guy ropes connected to the standards secured to the end pockets and providing means for maintaining said front member at an inclination with respect to said standards.

2. A knock-down portable cabinet comprising a pair of spaced rear standards, a pair of spaced front standards spaced from the rear standards, a vertically disposed ilex ible member positioned against said pairs of standards and connected at its ends to said front standards and intermediate its ends to said rear standards, a top member mounted on said standards and overlapping said flexible member, brace bars interposed between said standards and having connecting members detachably engaging with the standards, a front member depending from and slidably mounted on the brace bar between the front standards, and supporting elements connected to the inner face of said flexible member. I

t 3.111 'a portable cabinet for the purpose set forth a collapsible rectangular body portion including an outwardly shiftable front wall, said wall having secured to its inner face at each side of thelower portion thereof a pair of oppositely disposed tri angular shaped members adapted to extend inwardly at right angles to said wall when the latter is shifted outwardly, and a re movable top for the body portion.

In testimony whereof, we atlix our signatures hereto.

JOHNSTONE H. QUINAN. JEPTHA V. HARRIS. 

